Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Monterohttp://www.soundersfc.com/topics/fredy-montero
enFormer Sounders offer support from across the worldhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2015/10/19/former-sounders-offer-support-across-world
<div class="field field-name-field-post-media-affiliate field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SoundersFC.com</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-16967 node node-image node-promoted view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/montero.jpg?MJiIxxuvRURBogHYkzX4TcJfzmMVdMz_&amp;itok=YioGkyu5&amp;c=6ac72b8f15709fb4d5bdc855e0ff84c1" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-photo-credit field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photo Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Rod Mar</div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/SEAvRSL-Callout.jpg" /></p>
<p>When the Sounders took the pitch in Houston on Sunday, supporters from all around Washington tuned in to watch their boys search for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>As it turns out, a few televisions somewhere else in the world also had the station set to ESPN for the big game. Here are a couple tweets from two guys who embedded themselves in Sounders history during their time with the club.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/brad_evans3">@brad_evans3</a> , come on captain , let's win ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash">#MLS</a> Playoff <a href="http://t.co/b05GsQsbgm">pic.twitter.com/b05GsQsbgm</a></p>
— Fredy Montero (@Goleador17) <a href="https://twitter.com/Goleador17/status/655863250286964736">October 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>Fredy Montero, one of the original Sounders who spent four years with the Rave Green, is currently with Sporting CP in Portugal. Fredy offered up some encouraging words for Sounders FC Captain&nbsp;Brad Evans.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hr">Oba Oba obaaaaaaa! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/seattlelove?src=hash">#seattlelove</a></p>
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) <a href="https://twitter.com/yedlinny/status/655880595520778240">October 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>Then there was DeAndre Yedlin, one of the grandfathers of #SeattleLove and #HellaGreedy who now plays with Sunderland, chiming in after Oba&nbsp;scored the equalizer late in the match with his point-blank header. Although the boys in green weren’t able to solidify their spot in the postseason against Houston, there remains a chance to clinch with the final regular-season home game this Sunday against Real Salt Lake (<a href="http://www.sndrs.com/RSL1025">4:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, This TV, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM</a>)<br />
<br />
Tickets for Sunday’s match -&nbsp;which is also the fourth and final&nbsp;full stadium match of the year -&nbsp;are available <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-seattle-washington-10-25-2015/event/0F004E43A1FC3CEE?artistid=1292961&amp;majorcatid=10004&amp;minorcatid=11">here</a>.</p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/brad-evans">Brad Evans</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/deandre-yedlin">DeAndre Yedlin</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/obafemi-martins">Obafemi Martins</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/seattle-sounders-fc">Seattle Sounders FC</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/social-timeline">Social Timeline</a></div></div></div>Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:04:18 +0000brandeng16968 at http://www.soundersfc.comWho threw it best? The Sounders who have thrown out the first pitch for the Marinershttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2015/05/18/who-threw-it-best-sounders-who-have-thrown-out-first-pitch-mariners
<div class="field field-name-field-post-media-affiliate field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SoundersFC.com</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-14740 node node-image node-promoted view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/USATSI_8570669.jpg?Stqhf70QP7QKV6Uj0HnFGGoPNhTCooE.&amp;itok=t85M03o8&amp;c=7bb37ca029f6f206dbc06c7f8a24a51c" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-photo-credit field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photo Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jennifer Nicholson</div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Oh baseball, you sweet, sweet elixir of national leisure.</p>
<p>It's not soccer, but it is still awesome and the Sounders have a great appreciation for the sport played primarily with your hands (You can't use your hands if you play for the Sounders...well, unless you are a goalkeeper...or if you're taking a throw-in. Anyway...)</p>
<p>Case in point this past Sunday. Following a fantastic road victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC the night before, Sounders FC Designated Player and true American hero Clint Dempsey took the mound at Safeco Field and threw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game. Donning a studly white Mariners jersey with his name and number on the back, Deuce rocketed a perfect toss at actual pitcher Felix Hernandez to the applause of the 39,000 on hand. That kid Clint has talent and not just with his feet.</p>
<p>But was it the best Sounders first pitch at a Mariners game? Well, I'll leave that up to you to decide because if you read on in this post, you'll see all six of the club's attempts at a strike. Feel free to vote below and let us know your favorite.</p>
<h2>1. Sigi Schmid&nbsp;- September 18, 2009</h2>
<p>The first of the bunch, Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid put a pretty solid effort in. Straight down the middle and with a good, solid wind-up, Schmid did the Rave Green proud.<strong>A real gem at 4.5/5.</strong></p>
<h2><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2014/Sigi%20Schmid%20First%20Pitch.gif" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; opacity: 0.9;" /></h2>
<h2>2. Fredy Montero - August 21, 2012</h2>
<p>Hailing from Colombia, Fredy Montero is well versed in the ways of the baseball, but it didn't really show in his effort below. Releasing the ball a bit too high in his arc, his pitch sailed a bit, causing him to feel a little ashamed of what he had just done. It's ok, Fredy...we still love you. <strong>Not the best at 2/5.</strong></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Fredy%20Montero%20First%20Pitch.gif" /></p>
<h2>3. Eddie Johnson - June 10, 2013</h2>
<p>Eddie Johnson is a man of focus. He showed it with this pitch. Very cool, calm and collected in the lead up, Johnson delivered a slider of sorts that would have had most right-handed batters reaching. <strong>I'll give it a 3.5/5.</strong></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2014/Eddie%20Johnson%20First%20Pitch.gif" /></p>
<h2>4. DeAndre Yedlin - July 11, 2014</h2>
<p>What I like most about this pitch from DeAndre Yedlin is the speed in which he executed it. Walked up to the mound, looked at home plate for all of two seconds, started his wind-up and BOOM in there. No preparation, no dilly-dallying. Just action. Love DeAndre for that. <strong>Rating: 4/5</strong></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2014/DeAndre%20First%20Pitch.gif" /></p>
<h2>5. Clint Dempsey - May 17, 2015</h2>
<p>Clint is a cool guy. Never too many highs, never too many lows. The pressure doesn't really get to our man. That showed here as Deuce displayed perfect mechanics with his pitch from the top of the mound to his buddy Felix. A very solid effort. <strong>Clocks in at a 4/5.</strong></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2014/Clint%20Dempsey%20First%20Pitch.gif" /></p>
<h2>[UPDATE] 6. Kasey Keller - September 5, 2012</h2>
<p>Thanks to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/likkitp"><strong>@LikkitP</strong></a> for pointing out a very obvious omission from this fine piece of journalism. Sounders legend Kasey Keller threw a heater for a first pitch back in 2012, nearly a year after retiring.<strong> I'm giving this one a 5/5 because Kasey rules.</strong></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/2014/Kasey%20Keller%20First%20Pitch.gif" /></p>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8875588.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8875588/">Who threw it best?</a></noscript></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-aside-widgets field-type-field-collection field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2015">2015</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/clint-dempsey">Clint Dempsey</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/deandre-yedlin">DeAndre Yedlin</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div></div></div>Mon, 18 May 2015 16:56:17 +0000jbremmer14738 at http://www.soundersfc.comFredy Montero returns to Seattle for two weeks, dreams of playing for Sounders againhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2014/06/24/fredy-montero-returns-seattle-two-weeks-dreams-playing-sounders-again
<div class="field field-name-field-post-media-affiliate field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SoundersFC.com</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-11112 node node-image node-promoted view-mode-full clearfix">
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Tuesday night is a big night for Sounders FC as it continues its pursuit of an MLS-record tying fourth U.S. Open Cup title with a fifth-round match against the San Jose Earthquakes. And though he won’t be on the field, it’s a big night for Fredy Montero too.</p>
<p>The former Sounders forward and club’s all-time leading scorer will be at the match as a spectator while on off-season vacation from Sporting Lisbon. It will be his first time seeing his old club play as a fan since he left on loan to Millonarios in Colombia and then Sporting Lisbon in Portugal in 2013.</p>
<p>“It’s a big opportunity for me. I’m leaving next week, so this is the only game that I can go,” Montero said from Starfire on Monday, where he took in a Sounders training session from the sidelines alongside several staff members. “It’s my second home and I’m always happy to come here. I feel like I had to say ‘Hi’ to my old teammates too.”</p>
<p>Montero is in the middle of a two-week stay in the Seattle area along with his wife and daughter after already visiting family in Colombia.</p>
<p>Coming off of a standout first season with Sporting that saw him score 13 goals – including a hat trick in his first appearance – to lead the team in scoring. His scoring prowess helped Sporting finish second in the league and qualify for UEFA Champions League, where it will enter in the Group Stage in mid-September.</p>
<p>That opportunity is what Montero dreamed of when he came to MLS in 2009 to join the fledgling Sounders club in its inaugural season.</p>
<p>“I remember sitting at lunch and we watched those games and now I’m going to be playing that competition that I always wanted to play,” Montero said. “I am always going to thank the Seattle Sounders because they gave me the foundation that I needed to endure everything in a professional career in Europe. I’m always thankful to the team and the fans that helped me feel like I was at home every time I was playing a game.”</p>
<p>Having Montero at training was a happy moment for the remaining players who were here while he was with the team, although that number dwindles with each passing year. Most of the staff still remains though, dating back even to his first training session with the team at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in January of 2009.</p>
<p>“It was good for Fredy to stop by. Fredy’s a big part of the history of this club and it’s always good to see him around,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “He looks good. He looks fit. He’s happy. His family’s good. All of those things are really nice to catch up with people.”</p>
<p>Montero looks forward to the opportunity to see his old teammates play on Tuesday night at Starfire, but also wants to see the faithful fans that treated him so well in his four seasons wearing the badge.</p>
<p>“It is always fun to watch them because they bring the players a lot of energy,” he said. “The support is always there. It’s good to be back and feel that energy. I’m not going to be playing, but that’s going to bring me a lot of memories.”</p>
<p>“I still have friends here and I’m always looking back because I care about them. I am happy for them. They are getting victories.”</p>
<p>Just 26 years old, Montero already has plans to play for Sounders FC again before his career comes to an end. While he has the lofty task at hand of helping navigate Sporting Lisbon through UEFA Champions League and some of the other challenges he wants to pursue in Europe, the draw of Seattle will one day bring him back to CenturyLink Field, he hopes.</p>
<p>“There is no doubt about that,” Montero smiled. “I always dream of coming back to play with the Sounders.”</p>
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<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/seattle-sounders-fc">Seattle Sounders FC</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/starfire-sports-complex">Starfire Sports Complex</a></div></div></div>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:31:41 +0000JustinL11111 at http://www.soundersfc.comRave TV Extra: Montero Visits Seattlehttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2014/06/24/rave-tv-extra-montero-visits-seattle
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>In this Rave TV Extra we hear from Fredy Montero as he visits Seattle and discusses his dream of one day returning to play for the Sounders.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-aside-widgets field-type-field-collection field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/rave-tv-extra">Rave TV Extra</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2014">2014</a></div></div></div>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:26:39 +0000admin11108 at http://www.soundersfc.comInterview: Fredy Montero on Visiting Seattle http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2014/06/23/interview-fredy-montero-visiting-seattle
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Fredy Montero speaks to media about his visit back to Seattle, what his favorite memories were playing for Sounders FC, and what his career dream is now.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-aside-widgets field-type-field-collection field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item even"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-post-aside-widgets clearfix">
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-name-field-aside-alignment field-type-list-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Alignment:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Full</div></div></div> </div>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/interviews">Interviews</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2014">2014</a></div></div></div>Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:56:03 +0000admin11089 at http://www.soundersfc.comAfter extremely successful time with Seattle, Montero moves onhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2014/01/30/after-extremely-successful-time-seattle-montero-moves
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<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/20e0926eb1764d9fb912c941bdb083e4.jpeg?itok=lAqUBpKr" /></div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>The Colombian forward completed his deal to Sporting CP after the Portuguese club picked up the option to buy the 26-year-old.</strong><iframe width="592" scrolling="no" height="332" frameborder="0" src="http://p.castfire.com/i/OL94U/video/2064790/2064790_2014-01-30-194330.1459.m4v"></iframe>
<p><strong>TUCSON, Ariz.</strong> &ndash; When Fredy Montero came to Seattle in 2009 to play with Sounders FC in the club&rsquo;s inaugural season, he dreamed of one day playing for Colombia in the World Cup and playing in Europe.</p>
<p>On Thursday, one of those goals was accomplished when Sounders FC completed the sale of the 26-year-old forward to Sporting Lisbon in Portugal after Montero played 20 matches across all competitions since his loan to the Portuguese Liga club started in the summer.</p>
<p>&ldquo;First off, I&rsquo;m very happy for Fredy,&rdquo; said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. &ldquo;Fredy wanted an opportunity where he could go and try and get himself into a position to make the World Cup team. We tried to afford him that opportunity and now it turned out that he got an opportunity in Europe, which is something he always wanted as well.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
Montero played four seasons for Sounders FC and left on loan to Millonarios in his native Colombia as the club&rsquo;s all-time leading scorer. After scoring the first goal in club history in the inaugural match in 2009, Montero went on to score 47 goals to go with 34 assists in 119 career MLS matches, tying with Mauro Rosales for the club&rsquo;s all-time assist record.</p>
<p>In all competitions, Montero played 160 matches, compiling 60 goals and 43 assists, helping him earn the opportunity to play for Sporting Lisbon. In 20 matches for the Portuguese club, he has 19 goals across all competitions and is the club&rsquo;s leading scorer in league play with 13 goals.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I think it shows that our league can prepare players for that next step and that&rsquo;s a real positive. I&rsquo;m just really happy for Fredy,&rdquo; Schmid said. &ldquo;This is something that was a dream of his, to step into a European league and do well at that level of competition. I think it&rsquo;s a great honor for our club.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Montero originally joined Sounders FC on loan from Deportivo Cali in 2009 and was named MLS Newcomer of the year after notching 11 goals.</p>
<p>"Sounders was my first experience out of my country. I love the Sounders and they will always mean a lot to me," said Montero. "On and off of the field I got the opportunity to grow as a player and as a person and I loved it. That's why Seattle is going to forever be my second home. I am blessed. I want to keep improving myself and one day I will be back to raise my family and hopefully be back on the field."</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2014">2014</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div></div></div>Thu, 30 Jan 2014 22:09:00 +0000Anonymous9021 at http://www.soundersfc.comFormer Sounders proving valuable outside of MLShttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/12/04/former-sounders-proving-valuable-outside-mls
<div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-5704 node node-image view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/7623cfdbbe5b4426bcae56a4feb736be.jpeg?itok=LayYIGxW" /></div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>Nine players who once donned Rave Green are currently actively playing soccer in foreign lands. Some are having breakout seasons.</strong><p>The offseason lacks Seattle Sounders FC action, but several former players are plying their trade in leagues around the world. On loan star Fredy Montero is ripping apart Portugal&rsquo;s Primeira Liga, but he is not the only player plying his trade as a pro, spreading some of the word of what it means to be a Sounder. Checking in with these nine former Sounders and their current season, some are making large impacts on quality sides.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Fredy Montero</span><br />
<br />
You may remember him as the team scoring (60 goals in all competitions) and assist (43 all competitions) leader who only just this season was passed by Osvaldo Alonso for the all-time, all-competitions minutes lead (Montero played 12,658 competitive minutes as a Sounder). Montero is currently on loan to Sporting CP in Lisbon, Portugal, after an earlier half season loan to Millonarios in Colombia.<br />
<br />
In Portugal, Montero is doing more than he did even in MLS. He leads the league with 11 goals and is earning the attention of his national team coach. Sporting CP currently leads the league with 26 points in 11 games and a +19 goal differential. That is a full 10 points ahead of Portugal&rsquo;s sixth spot, the best a team can finish and not make it to continental competition. There are still 19 games to play, but the club and Montero seem likely to be in the hunt for a Champions League spot.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Alvaro Fernandez</span><br />
<br />
The Uruguayan Designated Player was traded to Chicago Fire in 2012, who later loaned him to a club in Qatar and now is on loan to Nacional in his home country. Fernandez&rsquo;s best scoring season was 2011 and that fueled his 17 goals and 10 assists across all competitions with Seattle. In Uruguay, he remains just on the fringe of national team consideration, sometimes called in and sometimes not. Nacional is in second in the league standings.<br />
<br />
Fernandez is a regular midfield starter with 12 appearances (only one as a sub) but has zero goals from his midfield role there.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Erik Friberg</span><br />
<br />
Made most famous in Sounder-land for his tweets about tacos, the Swedish midfielder is an offensive force for Malmo FF. His current club finished the season at the top of the Allsvenskan and will be in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round. Friberg was fourth on his team in scoring with six goals. He took the pitch 27 times in 30 league opportunities. As a Sounder, Friberg played as a right midfielder and center midfielder, logging 2,454 minutes with one goal and two assists.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Adam Johansson</span><br />
<br />
Johansson left Seattle after just one year as the starting right back. In his more than 2,000 minutes he recorded two assists. Also in the Allsvenskan, his new club IFK Goteborg finished in third place and will be competing in the Europa League. He was a regular starter for club and earned his way back into World Cup 2014 consideration, making eight qualifying rosters and appearing twice.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Sammy Ochoa</span><br />
<br />
Ochoa spent more seasons with Seattle than anyone else on this list than Montero. He is currently 10th all-time in all-competitions goals with Seattle. Those 10 goals and two assists came in a relatively even split between starting and subbing.<br />
<br />
Ochoa is now with Lobos BUAP of the Mexican second division (Ascenso MX). The Lobos are led by former MLS great Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Ochoa joined the club late their season so did not feature in the mid-table finish.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Christian Tiffert</span><br />
<br />
Tiffert left Seattle just prior to the start of the 2013 season. His Sounders FC career saw him earn four assists in just 1,359 minutes primarily as a central midfielder.<br />
Tiffert is now back in Germany&rsquo;s second division with BFL Bochum 1848, sitting seven points back from his last German side &ndash; Kaiserslautern. He is a regular on the team, playing in 11 of 16 league matches in a midfield that features players from five different nations.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Mario Martinez</span><br />
<br />
The winger played nine less minutes than Tiffert in his two half-seasons with Seattle. Martinez&rsquo;s most famous moment was his MLS Cup Playoffs goal against Real Salt Lake to send Sounders FC to the 2012 Western Conference Championship. Now with Real Espana in Honduras, he is again in a playoff situation. They take on Real Sociedad in the two-leg final over the next two Sundays.<br />
<br />
A regular starter, Martinez scored six goals in league play and is third on the team in goals scored. Since rejoining the team that loaned him to Seattle he&rsquo;s been a bit less frequent of a national team player, but that could change given his league performance.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Miguel Montano</span><br />
<br />
The young winger left Sounders FC some time ago for the Montreal Impact (bracketing their rise to MLS). Now he is playing in Colombia&rsquo;s second division for Uniautonoma and won the Grand Final. Montano had 11 appearances with one league goal.<br />
<br />
<span class="incontentheadline">
Christian Sivebaek</span><br />
<br />
One of the many Nordic players to join Sounders FC, Sivebaek played played 101 competitive minutes for Seattle. He did not score or assist. His current side Vejle is in the Danish First Division (their second tier league) and has a chance at earning promotion. Listed as a defender, Sivebaek has three goals in his 15 league appearances (fourth on the squad).<br />
<br />
These former (but always) Sounders FC players are no longer in leagues easy to follow. What they are doing is helping teams win trophies, space in continental competitions and sharing stories of their experiences in Seattle doing the same thing.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/erik-friberg">Erik Friberg</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div></div></div>Wed, 04 Dec 2013 10:15:00 +0000Anonymous5705 at http://www.soundersfc.com24 Under 24 series starts todayhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/09/16/24-under-24-series-starts-today
<div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-5282 node node-image view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/5ed64021bcfe487c908bede0abe2029b.jpeg?itok=fQo83go6" /></div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>With three players previously on the MLSsoccer.com list of the best young players in MLS, Seattle is bound to add to the list in 2013.</strong><p>On Monday, MLSsoccer.com will begin a week-long series highlighting the top 24 players in the league under 24 years old. </p>
<p>If history is any indication, Sounders FC will be well-represented in the countdown.</p>
<p>In all three seasons since the league website started the series in 2010, Seattle has had players selected, starting in 2010 when Fredy Montero topped the list at No. 1. At that time, Montero had earned MLS Newcomer of the Year honors in 2009 after a 12-goal season and in his second double-digit season with 10 goals in 2010, adding 10 assists in a stellar season for the Colombian.</p>
<p>In that same year, Steve Zakuani was No. 4 on the list while in the midst of a 10-goal season of his own in his second year in MLS. A fractured fibula and tibia in 2011 derailed his third season in April, but his outstanding season in 2010, in which he also had six assists, and his strong start in 2011 led to him keeping hold of his No. 4 ranking. FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea was rated the top player under 24 in 2011.</p>
<p>In 2012, Andy Rose was Seattle&rsquo;s lone representative on the list, starting things off at No. 24. During his rookie season, Rose started in 11 of his 23 appearances for Seattle, highlighted by the first goal of his MLS career in a 4-0 drubbing of the LA Galaxy with 60,908 fans in attendance at CenturyLink Field. The top-rated player on the list in 2012 was Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Darren Mattocks.</p>
<p>This year, Seattle has six players eligible for the list - Will Bates, Philip Lund, Dylan Remick, Andy Rose, DeAndre Yedlin and Eriq Zavaleta.<br />
Sept. 16: 21-24 revealed<br />
Sept. 17: 20-16 revealed<br />
Sept. 18: 15-11 revealed<br />
Sept. 19: 10-6 revealed<br />
Sept. 20: 1-5 revealed</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/deandre-yedlin">DeAndre Yedlin</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/andy-rose">Andy Rose</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/dylan-remick">Dylan Remick</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/steve-zakuani">Steve Zakuani</a></div></div></div>Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:28:00 +0000Anonymous5283 at http://www.soundersfc.comMontero to keep ties with Seattle while in Europehttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/07/22/montero-keep-ties-seattle-while-europe
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<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/ceff3b1086f64815b6c501135ac8aa0b.jpeg?itok=AzForAhE" /></div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>The Colombian forward enjoyed a successful four-year spell with the Sounders and is no off to Europe to play in Portugal.</strong><iframe width="592" height="332" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://p.castfire.com/i/OL94U/video/1803708/1803708_2013-07-09-182308.1459.m4v"></iframe><p>From early in the process of building the Sounders FC roster, Fredy Montero was earmarked as a pivotal piece for the club as it embarked on its inaugural season.</p>
<p>Over the four years he played in Rave Green, he was Seattle&rsquo;s offensive juggernaut. An assassin with the ball at his feet, Montero scored 47 goals and 34 assists in 119 MLS matches &ndash; both all-time highs for a team that reached the playoffs in each of their first four seasons.</p>
<p>At the start of the 2013 season, he was loaned to Millonarios in Colombia and on Monday, his journey through the stratosphere of world soccer continued when Sounders FC announced a loan to Sporting CP in Portugal, taking his goal-scoring prowess to Europe for the next test.</p>
<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s my dream coming true,&rdquo; Montero said in a visit to Sounders FC training two weeks ago. &ldquo;I have been waiting for this opportunity and it&rsquo;s here now.&rdquo;</p>
<p>On a brief stop in Seattle this month, Montero met with his old Sounders FC teammates and tied up loose ends in the states before his move to Portugal was finalized. It was something of a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to reminisce about his time with the club that raised him from the time that he was 21. But the interest between Montero and Sounders FC started much sooner and that&rsquo;s what makes his move to Europe bittersweet.</p>
<p>&ldquo;From early in 2008 we went down to Colombia so many times and met with him and watched him,&rdquo; Sounders FC Sporting Director Chris Henderson said. &ldquo;We all have a really good relationship and it&rsquo;s good when you can see players have a chance to fulfill their dreams.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Montero looks back on his time in Seattle with fondness.</p>
<p>He came to the club as a 21-year-old who had played his whole career in his native Colombia. He ignited the record-setting crowds at CenturyLink Field from his first match, when he scored two goals in the inaugural game in a nationally televised 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. He would go on to score 12 goals and earn MLS Newcomer of the Year honors in 2009.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I came here as a young player and in the last four years, I got the opportunity to grow and be more mature in the game and off the field,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>He went on to score double-digit goals in each of his four seasons and was a three-time MLS All-Star, finishing with a career-high 13 goals in his final season in 2012. He also added seven goals in 13 matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, helping Seattle to three straight championships and a finals appearance in the fourth year. In the CONCACAF Champions League, he also exceled with six goals in 18 matches.</p>
<p>In his brief stop back in Colombia with Millonarios, he started 19 of 21 matches and scored seven goals to lead the first division club.</p>
<p>His venture to Europe may be a dream for him, but it is also a feather in the cap for Seattle and they didn&rsquo;t discount the chance that he may one day play in the Rave Green again.</p>
<p>&ldquo;He had great success here with the Sounders. For him to be able to try it in Europe or try it in South America again to see where he&rsquo;s at is a great experience for him,&rdquo; Henderson said. &ldquo;He was very important for us and our success and getting to the playoffs every year and winning Open Cups. You never know, in the future, to see Fredy back in a Sounders jersey again would be great for everyone.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For his part, Montero still maintains a home in Bellevue and plans to keep ties to the city. His wife is due with the couple&rsquo;s first baby in October and she is staying in Seattle until their daughter is born. It is a connection to the city that his wife, Alexis, maintains as a native of the Puget Sound, but also one that has grown into a large part of Montero, himself.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This is my second home,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s always going to be my second home.&rdquo;</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div></div></div>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:54:00 +0000Anonymous5061 at http://www.soundersfc.comMontero Loaned to Portugal’s Sporting Lisbonhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/07/22/montero-loaned-portugal%E2%80%99s-sporting-lisbon-0
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<div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/0d29be3ca81d4e83909b07a2a0d3a863.jpeg?itok=ZjjLTsDQ" /></div></div></div></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong></strong><p><strong>RENTON, WASH. </strong>&ndash; Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero has been loaned to Portugal&rsquo;s Sporting Lisbon, the club announced today. Sporting Lisbon will have an option to buy Montero on a permanent transfer. The loan is pending receipt of his International Transfer Clearance from Colombia to Portugal.</p>
<p>Montero, 25, has been on loan with Millonarios FC of the Colombian first division since January. He started 19 of 21 appearances and scored a team-high seven goals with two assists for Millonarios during the 2012-13 season. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Montero is Seattle&rsquo;s all-time leading scorer with 47 goals in MLS play. Overall, he scored 60 goals with 43 assists across all competitions to lead the team. A three-time MLS All-Star and 2009 MLS Newcomer of the Year, Montero recorded 23 game-winning goals and 12 game-winning assists across all competitions in his four seasons with Sounders FC.&nbsp;</p>
<div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div></div></div>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:00:00 +0000Anonymous5063 at http://www.soundersfc.com